Jeff Hobson, The Trickster

JH: I got a phone call like most people do for a job. I was in Las Vegas for 15 years, and the producer Simon Painter called me and said, "Hey, do you want to do a magic show?" I had no idea it would become the biggest and most famous magic spectacular in the world. We sold out the Sydney Opera house the first time out.

SH: What was the first magic trick you ever learned/performed?

JH: Wow, for that I'll have to think way back. I started doing magic when I was seven. But I think it was a little coin trick. I borrowed a coin from my aunt and made it disappear and reappear in a set of nestled boxes tied with rubber bands. I retired that trick long ago. When you have 7 of the best guys in the business doing their A material, you've got to bring your best work. You've got your dangerous escapes, comedy magic, shocking magic, touchingly beautiful slight-of-hand magic. I call this the show for people who didn't know they liked magic.

SH: When did you decide to integrate comedy and magic?

JH: I was always a class clown in school. Comedy went hand-in-hand with magic, so as a teenager I combined the two. I love making people laugh and shocking them at the same time.

SH: You've worked in Las Vegas, performed on Broadway, appeared on several TV series, and even helped create The Illusionarim, a magical-dining experience for Norwegian Cruise Line's The Getaway. What's next?

JH: You've done your homework! Well, next up I'm going to do my own show and tour with it. And later this fall, NBC is airing a 2-hour TV special.

SH: It seems variety shows and live musical specials are making a come back, what with "The Sound of Music"in 2013 and "Peter Pan"in 2014, as well as Neil Patrick Harris's new show, "Best Time Ever."

JH: Yeah, it's really taken off recently. Neil Patrick Harris is great. I know him well and think he's an amazing performer. He's done a lot of magic in his series.

SH: Besides your act, what is your favorite part about The Illusionists show?

JH: My favorite part is being able to interact with the audience. Most of them have no idea they are going to be coming on stage. I love watching their reactions and bouncing off of their expressions. I always get a good laugh out of them. It can be a challenge to coerce people who wouldn't normally get up on stage. It's a life-changing experience for a lot of people in the audience.